Whirling toy



Jan. 8, 1963 Q s. s-flpF c 1 3,071,891

WHIRLING TOY Filed May :5, 1961 MK. W

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,071,891 WHIRLING TOY Samuel Stippick, R.F.D. Box 408, Berlin, NJ. Filed May 3, 1961, Ser. No. 107,424 4- Claims. (Cl. 46-47) This invention rel-ates generally to amusement devices or toys, and is especially concerned with a whirling toy.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a whirling toy having a unique attraction for children, which can be operated even by relatively young children with only a modicum of skill, and which is capable of operation in a wide variety of ways as the user acquires increased skill.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a whirling toy which isextremely simple in construction and endurable in use, and serves to absorb the attention of users and spectators of widely ranging ages vfor long periods of time.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a whirling-toy device which is highly entertaining and amusing, while developing body coordination and dexterity, as well as afiording healthful exercise.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a whirling-toy device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is entirely safe for users and spectators of all ages, and can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View showing a toy device of the present invention in operative condition of use;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view showing a device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the device of FIG- URE l, partly broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view showing a modified embodiment of the instant invention; and

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIGURE 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1-3 thereof, the whirling-toy device is there generally designated 10, and includes a generally planar, whirling element 11 carried on one end of an elongate operating member or handle 12.

The whirling element 11 may be substantially flat and of generally circular-outline configuration, capable of fabrication from any suitably self-supporting sheet material, such as plastic, cardboard, or other. In the embodiment of FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be observed that the planar element 11 is of a generally spiral-like configuration, with its radially outer convolution 15 merging in the region 16 with the next adjacent inner convolution 17 to provide the circular outline. The material of the planar element 11 is preferably lightweight, and may be of relatively thin section, so that radially extending strengthening elements, as at 18, may connect adjacent convolutions. It is preferred that the weight or mass of the planar element 11 be distributed radially outward toward the periphery, and this may be done with the spiral configuration of FIG- URE 2 by making the inner convolutions 19 and 20 relatively narrow, and making the outer convolutions 17 and 15 relatively wide. The same result may be achieved by 3 ,071,891 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 making the several convolutions progressively wider in the radially outward direction; or conversely, making the openings or spaces between adjacent convolutions successively narrower in the radially outward direction. The above-described distribution of weight is advantageous as increasing angular momentum during the whirling operation. Of course, other configurations, such as having the central region open, or otherwise, may be employed, if desired.

The handle 12 may be an elongate rod or stick 23 generally arranged normal to the plane of the element 11 and having one end extending rotatably through an opening 24 in the whirling element. The opening 24 is lo cated eccentrically of the element 11, preferably on a convolution at a location proximate to reinforcement portions 18, as seen in FIGURE 2. The eccentric location of the opening 24 is preferably at a distance from the center of the whirling element 11 approximately equal to the" radius of gyration of the whirling element. This location has been found advantageous in facilitating manipulation of the device.

The rod 23 of the handle 12 has one end portion reduced, as at 25, for axially rotatable insertion through the opening 24. The reduced portion 25 defines an annular shoulder 26 on the rod 23 engageable with the region of the whirling element bounding the opening 24 to prevent further engagement of the rod through the opening. The reduced rod portion 25 may project through and beyond the whirling element 11, having its projecting end 27 provided with screw threads for threaded engagement through a retaining element or nut 28. The retaining element or nut 28 is engageable with the opposite side of the whirling element 11, the upper side as seen in FIG- URE 3, to prevent withdrawal of the rod 23 from the whirling element.

Thus, the rod 23 of handle 12 has one end rotatably engaged transversely through an eccentric region of the whirling element 28 to define a swivel connection with the latter.

Upon manually grasping the opposite end 29' of the handle rod 23, and with slight wrist action, the whirling element 11 may be caused to have generally axial rotation. That is, the element 11 will rotate in a plane generally normal to its axis. This operation may be achieved in all positions of the device, such as with the element 11 lowermost, as in FIGURE 1, or with the whirling element uppermost above the handle 12, or with the handle 12 generally horizontal.

By the herein-before described weight distribution, a substantial angular momentum occurs to maintain the whirling operation with a minimum of efifort. Also, location of the swivel connection between the handle 12 and element 11 at approximately the radius of gyration of the element serves to facilitate operation and improve operating characteristics. If desired, the whirling element 11 may be provided with a wide variety of decorative effects to produce unique attractiveness in use.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 4 and 5, the whirling device is there generally designated 10a, and may include a generally planar whirling element 11a, which may be of generally circular-outline configuration, and an elongate handle 12a which may be connected to the whirling element in the same manner as the previously described embodiment.

By way of difference, the generally planar whirling element 11a may have a central opening 30, generally coaxial with the element. Provided in the opening may be a generally hollow, conically tapering member or extension 31. More specifically, the hollow, conically tapering member 31 is arranged with its relatively Wide end 32 secured by adhesive or any suitable means in the opening 30; and, the axis of the conical extension 31 may be coaxial with that of the planar element 11a. Thus, the conical member 31 extends transversely from and generally normal to the plane of the element 11a, and tapers outwardly therefrom.

The outwardly tapering conical projection or extension 31 affords unique aerodynamic characteristics when operated in the illustrated manner of FIGURE to project upwardly from the element 11a, and serves to enable the device to simulate a top when operated in the position with the extension 3 1 projecting downward. The projection or extension 31 may also provide attractive operation with the handle 12a in a generally horizontal position; and, if desired, the whirling element 11a may, either with or without disconnection of the handle 12a, be employed in the manner of a hat, the extension 31 providing a highly attractive and entertaining crown, and the whirling element itself simulating a brim.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an amusement device in the nature of a whirling toy which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well-adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within 4 the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A whirling toy comprising an open generally planar element, an elongate handle extending generally normal to said element eccentrically thereof, and swivel connection means anchoring said handle at one end thereof to a region of said element at a distance from the center of said element approximating the radius of gyration, for generally coplanar rotation of said element by manipulation of said handle in any desired position.

2. A whirling toy according to claim 1, said element having its weight distributed toward the periphery for greater stability in motion.

3. A whirling toy according to claim 2, said element being of generally spiral configuration.

4. A whirling toy according to claim 1, in combination with an outwardly tapering transverse extension generally centrally on said element, for simulating operation as a top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 476,825 Schwartz June 14, 1892 1,374,812 Bowie Apr. 12, 1921 2,109,788 Worst Mar. 1, 1938 

1. A WHIRLING TOY COMPRISING AN OPEN GENERALLY PLANAR ELEMENT, AN ELONGATE HANDLE EXTENDING GENERALLY NORMAL TO SAID ELEMENT ECCENTRICALLY THEREOF, AND SWIVEL CONNECTION MEANS ANCHORING SAID HANDLE AT ONE END THEREOF TO A REGION OF SAID ELEMENT AT A DISTANCE FROM THE CENTER OF SAID ELEMENT APPROXIMATING THE RADIUS OF GYRATION, FOR GENERALLY COPLANAR ROTATION OF SAID ELEMENT BY MANIPULATION OF SAID HANDLE IN ANY DESIRED POSITION. 